The Graves County Cooperative Extension Family & Consumer Sciences program strives to offer educaitonal opportunities for our community. When there are interests for learning that reach past the knowledge and ability of staff outside teachers/business owner/professionals are contacted to teach classes.

Cake decorating was one of those classes. A local business owner of a small cake shop was contacted to teach classes. A partnership between the Graves County Cooperative Extension Service and Karen's Cake Creations was formed to meet the need. This partnership has helped reach clientele that are not generally attending CES programs or activities. Their first class may be the cake decorating class and once in the building they see other classes being advertised.

Karen from Karen's Cake Creations had this to say when asked how the partnership with the Extension office has helped her business.

Each one of the cake decorating or some variation,  cookie decorating, cookie cake, cupcakes, macaron, reach the capacity of 20 people. A couple of time one or two extra have been squeezed in. These classes are open to the public. A Valentine's night couples class was offered and was very popular. There have been some parent/child classes as well. Karen is inspiring new cake makers to become educated in hopes of starting their own small business. 

The evaluation of this partnership has been that the classes have been a boost to a small business that was needed otherwise keep her business open. She has reached new clients and her classes have brought new classes to the Extension office. We have flyers for upcoming classes in or around the kitchen so the participants can get involved in other ways. It has brought community members in to the Extension for the first time.